Signal device.



C. D. FRENCH.

SIGNAL DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED MAE 2611M];

Fatentmi NW. 26, 1918.

INVENTOR WITNESSES ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT"QFFICE.

CHAUNCEY D. FRENCH, F SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

SIGNAL DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. 1

Applicatidnxfiledlay 26, 19If7. SeriafNo. 171,269.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, (HAUNcnY D. Fnnxc n, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Vashington, have invented certain new and useful Inmrovements in Signal Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal devices, and more particularly to a hand traffic signal adapted especially for use at intersecting streets, railroad grade crossings, and the like where it is necessary to warn approaching vehicles to avoid accidents.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an illuminated signal adapted to be held in the hand of the traffic guard or watchman and manipulated in the manner similar to the ordinary flash light, for the purpose of displayin an illuminated warning signal during 'the night hours.

The invention also aims at the provision of a novel signal adapted to be easily mani'pulated in one hand, and provided with light intensifying elements in the form of refiectors or the like.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a signal device which consists of comparatively few parts and is simple in, construction, but durable and well adapted to withstand the roughusage to which devices of this character are ordinarily subjected.

For a full description of the invention and the advantages and merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated the. preferred. form of my invention, in which;

Figure 1 is a front elmation.

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. ,1

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, wherein is illustrated the preferred form of my invention, and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the sereral vicws. the cylindrical casing ll'is constructed of a size suitable to serve as a handle that may be conveniently held by the traffic guard or watchman at intersecting streets or railroad grade crossings, so that one hand willv be free to hold a signal whistle or the like, while the other manipulates the illuminated signal. The interior of the handle or casing receives a flash light 2 of the well known type, the same consisting of the cylindrical battery casing having a bulls-eye 3, mounted at one end and disposed near the upper end of the casing 1. The lower end of the casing is open, and casries a"hinged closure 4, the edge of which provides a tongue adapted to be received in a notch 5, provided on the inner surface of the finger latch 6. This latch is constructed from an extended portion of the casing, cut from the lower end thereof as clearly shown by Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, and it will be obvious that this latch will have sufficient rcsil iency to permit it to be pulled outwardly for causin the closure 4 to open, whereby the flash ight may heremovcd from the casing or replaced therein. At the upper end of the casing, at diametrically opposite points, the same is provided with indentations 7 adapted to engage the sides of the flash light to rigidly hold it in position and prevent rattling or movement of the flash light in the casing.

Attached to the upper endof the casing is the signal drmn 8 which consists of an outer shell 9 constructed of thin metal or the like, and attachml to the upper end of the casing 1 in any preferred manner. An opening in the shell communicates with the interior of the casing. and the bull's eye" 3 is disposed in the opening, so that the interior of the drum will be illmninatedwhen the light is energized. In this connection. it is pointed out that the light'has a push button it) pro-' trudiug through an opening ll. in the casing 1, whereby the operator may eouvemently reach the button by one of his fingers foop. crate the light. .\n interior chamber ll is mounlcd in the shell 0. and the rear wall 12 thereof is preferably constructed from a suitable polish metal, or the like for the purpose of acting as a reflector when the light is in operation. The front of this chamber is provided with a glass panel 13 upon which the word tilolV' is printed. and it will be apparent that when the interior of the chamber is illuminated b the light, this word will be clearly visible and will-stand prominently upon the illuminated glass panel. The interior of the chamber is also provided with an angularly disposed reflecting plate H. and the rays of light from the bullswill lit deflected from the anglllally disposed reflecting plate l-lto the reflector 22. so that a maximum illumination will be Patented Nov. 26, 1918.

i parent, that i desired, the signal may be obtained from a comparatively small light in" the bullsveye, I

A ring is fastened to the top of the shell '8, whereby the device may be hung from a convenient hook or the like when not in use. one side of the casing 1, I have provided a screw-eye 16 which will serve as a con venient hook for a signal whistle or'other signal generally used for sounding audible signals-in con' csted trafiic. It will be approvided with colored glass according to the duty of the signal and the various places in which it may be used.

A particular advantage. of the devicelies in its comparative simplicity and small size and, inasmuch as certain congested districts in large cities cannot conveniently sacrifice the space required for the ordinary signal stand and semaphores, the resent device maybe conveniently used y the traffic guard when a heav rain is falling or a thick fog prevents he use of the ordinary gesticulations easily visible in fair weather and daylight, Furthermore, the device may be held in one hand, while the tra-fiic guard manipulates his signal with the other, andthe light may be extinguished or energized by a simple pressure on the'push button.

From the foregoing it will be observed that a very simple and durable signal device has been provided, 'the details of which embody the preferred form. .I desire it to be understood, however, that slight changes in the minor details of construction maybe 7 made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim: lfA signal device of the character dedle and having a flash-light mounted therein, and a drum mounted upon the casing and provided with a glass panel having signal characters arranged thereon, and disposed to receive the light rays from the said flashlight A signal device of the character described comprising a casing of a size to form a convenlent handle, a flash-light arranged within the handle and provided with d a push button exposed for access from the exterior of the handle, and visible signalirg means mounted upon the casing and adapt to lie-illuminated by the said flash light.

3. A signal device of the character described comprising a casing having an opening provided therein, a flash light mounted in thecasing and rovided with a push button protruding t rough the opening, the flash-light having a bulls-eye i. disposed at the end of the casing, a drum mounted upon the casing and provided with an exteriorly disposed transparent panel having display characters arranged thereon, and reflecting, means for receiving the light rays from the said bulls-eye to transmit the same through the said transparent panel.

4. A' trafiic signal of the character de: scribed comprising a signal drum having a relatively small opening in its. cylindrical wall, a transparent panelmounted in one end of the drum and a reflecting element in'- the opposite end thereof, andmeans for illuminating the interior of the drum throu hthe said opening, and for providing a hen le therefor.

5. A traffic signal of thecharacter de {scribed comprising a signaldrum having a relatively small opening in its cylindrical wall,'a transparent panel mounted in one end of the drum and a reflecting element in the opposite end thereof, an angularly disdrum and cooperating with thesaid reflectnected with the drum and adapted to throw light rays through the said opening on'thesaid angularly disposed reflector, to illuminate the transparent panel.

6. A traffic signal device comprising a therein,'the tt-er bearing signal characters,

-posed reflecting, plate mounted within the ing element, an illuminating means condrum having a transparent panel mounted a casing attached to the drum and provided with a lighting element, one end of the easing being open and in communication with the'drum, and means for opening and closing the opposite end of the casing. 4

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses. v

CHAUNCEY D. FRENCH, Witnesses: v

HARRY H. Hasrrn, Norman FRENCH; 

